The initial use for nitroglycerin ointment included treating patients who suffered from episodes of chest pain. However as science and research continue to push forward, more uses for this ointment are found. Make sure to follow the specific instructions for each condition, as there can be severe and worrisome side effects if used incorrectly.
Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris is another name for an episode of chest pain. This type of chest pain results from coronary artery disease or a narrowing of the coronary blood vessels that supply blood to the heart, according to the National Institutes of Health. Several forms of nitroglycerin ointment exist that patients can rub on the chest to help open the arteries. Since any skin touched by the ointment can become affected, it proves important to protect the hands from the ointment and wash them after use. Additionally, patients should cover the ointment with plastic wrap to keep it from staining clothes or transferring elsewhere.
Fissures
According to Emergency Medicine Magazine, many physicians' offices treat patients suffering with anal fissures on a daily basis. Fissures prove one of the most common causes for bleeding from the rectum. A fissure is a cut or ulcer in the skin of the rectum caused by passing hard stools or frequent constipation. One of the many treatments for fissures includes diluting a 2% solution down to a 0.2%, by mixing one part of nitroglycerin ointment to ten parts of petroleum jelly. Patients should apply this mixture with a gloved finger to keep the medicine from spreading to other areas of the skin. Mixing the nitroglycerin with petroleum jelly will help keep down side effects. Side effects include headaches and dizziness. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic states, patients should not use nitroglycerin in combination with erectile dysfunction medications as they can cause the blood pressure to drop too low.
Raynauds Phenomenon
Raynauds mainly involves the hands. When the fingers become cold, the hands can change colors from a pale white to a purple or blue to finally red. The fingers eventually become numb and stay this way until exposed to warmer temperatures. Raynauds on its own proves a harmless condition but for some people having raynauds can be an early symptom of a skin thickening condition called scleroderma. According to a report at the National Conference on Scleroderma in 2007, Raynauds occurs because of a spasm of blood vessels. When the fingers and hands go through these changes because of temperature changes, they often change color. To keep the blood vessels from going into spasm some doctors prescribe a small dose of nitroglycerin ointment to be place on the top of the hands. Patients should take precautions to make sure the ointment does not spread to other parts of the body, including wearing gloves as a protective barrier.
